Amioderone

My husband has been on Amioderone for two months. His doctor has suggested that he have an out-patient test to make sure that the amioderone does not interfere with his pacemaker/defib.'s performance. Apparently they change the setttings on the defib so that he will have an "incident" and the defib. will kick in. This test is only supposed to take ten minutes. Has anyone else ever experienced this? Please reply.

4 Comments

Amiodarone and colesterol pills

by Papaguy - 2008-06-26 05:06:08

Amiodarone is a medecine that has lots of side effects. However, there are commments in favor and against this medecine. I took 100mg per day for 2 years as prescribed by a cardiologist for AF. My experience has been very bad because I was also prescribed Zocor 50Mg. I found out after a while that Amiodarone and satin derivatives pills like Lipitor or Zocor are a very bad combination. My health declined gradually for 2 years untill I stopped taking Amiodarone for a month before my next Dr appointment. Since I had no AF problems, I was prescribed Sotalol and my health is coming back to normal. This happened 10 months ago and the effect of Amiodarone is not completely gone from my system yet. I suggest that you do a search in this site with the key word "Amiodarone". A lot of information is available on the subject which could help you.

our lives

by joy1 - 2008-06-27 06:06:10

I have never heard of a concern for conflict between an ICD and amioderone. I do know that Toperal will cause an arrhythmic event in about 3 months following start up. Evereyone has different experiences and reactions to the testing that is done. Personally, I was told I would be out and I wasn't. It wasn't long after that I found another doctor.

The procedure is to give a drug which will induce arrhythmia in order to determine if the thresholds are set right on the ICD. It's a smart idea but I think every EP should have the experience so they know what their patients may go thru.

Hang in there and don't expect the test to not hurt, it may depending on how you react to electricity. Good luck.

Joy

testing

by PreciousDays - 2008-06-27 09:06:06

If they are testing his defibrillator the way they tested mine - (out patient) - they will use a very short acting anesthesia - while he is anesthatized they will fire the defibrillator - and then wake him up. When a defibrillator fires it is uncomfortable - but he shouldn't feel it. There is no residual pain - so he won't hurt after he is awake. The anxiety going into it all is the worst part. Good luck with it. - PD

DFT Testing

by shockbox340 - 2008-06-30 11:06:34

OK, some facts here.....

Amio can cause an increase in the patient's defibrillation threshold (DFT), or the minimum amount of energy needed to revert the heart out of fibrillation and back into sinus rhythm. It is common practice to repeat the testing in the lab to make sure the device will successfully convert the rhythm when needed. VF is induced with a well timed pacing spike, not with drugs, via the device. It is VERY unusual for the patient to have any memory of discomfort from the procedure.

This is simply a necessary step to make sure the ICD will do what it was put in to do when needed. I wouldn't pass up on it if my life depended on it!

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Your anxiety is normal. It takes some of us a little time to adjust to the new friend. As much as they love you, family and friends without a device just cannot understand the adjustment we go through. That is why this site is so valuable.